By the Rev. Mr William McKenzie, and the Rev. Mr Hugh Ross
Mineral Waters:
The parish of Tongue abounds in mineral springs; but none of them have as yet been applied to medical purposes. The most remarkable is at Sculomy, about a mile from Knoc Rheacadan. It has strong sulphurous taste and smell, resembling, it is said, the Moffat waters.
Coast and Caves:
From Tongue Bay, the coast extends 16 miles to the North west, as far as the Whiting Head, the only promontory in the parish, and 6 miles to the east, as far as Torrisdale. It is in general high and rocky, and is intersected by several small creeks, in one of which (Port Vaisgaig), there is a quarry of grey slate, and another of excellent flags, both easily wrought, which are conveyed by boats to different parts of the country. The rocks along the coast are hollowed into caves or formed into arches or pillars, some of them so regular, that they seem to be the work of art. Uaidhe - Mhor - Fhraisgill, the great cave of Fraisgill, extends more than half a mile underground. It is about 50 feet high, and 20 feet wide at the entrance, and grows narrow by degrees, till at last a man can scarcely creep in it. Its sides are variegated with a thousand colours, which are lost in each other with a delicacy and softness that no art can imitate. Upon entering the cave, the mind is impressed with a pleasing sort of awe, which is heightened by the solemn gloominess of the light, the clang of the sea birds that nestle in it, and the mournful dashing of the waves against the adjacent rocks. Numbers of seals are found in this cave. The tides follow the direction of the coast nearly from the east to west. There are no currents worth mentioning.
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